WE call into question Penang state exco Dr Afif Bahardin’s claim that 4,733 engagement sessions with local fishermen have been carried out by the state government since 2016.

Afif made this claim in a tweet on July 14. His tweet is as follows:

Segala bentuk proses temu-tembung (engagement) telah dimulakan seawal 2016, dengan semua pemegang taruh dan paling penting penduduk setempat terutamanya golongan nelayan dilibatkan secara terus. Sehingga hari ini, lebih 4733 sesi telah dijalankan

— #majubersama (@afifbahardin) July 14, 2019

“Segala bentuk proses temu-tembung (engagement) telah dimulakan seawal 2016, dengan semua pemegang taruh dan paling penting penduduk setempat terutamanya golongan nelayan dilibatkan secara terus. Sehingga hari ini, lebih 4733 sesi telah dijalankan.”

It is highly improbable and most likely impossible that his claim is true, based on simple mathematics and logic. 

To have conducted 4,733 sessions in a span of four years would require an average of 3.25 sessions on a daily basis for 1,460 straight days, including weekends and public holidays.

As a matter of public record, we have not heard of any government agency nor Penang state exco, including Afif, conducting such marathon engagement sessions.

We, therefore, demand that Afif provide an explanation regarding his claim of 4,733 sessions and provide information and proof that such engagements have actually been held.

We cannot allow such blatant claims to be used as justifications by the state government to bulldoze through the Penang South Reclamation (project) and to disregard the concerns and opposition by various parties, including local fishermen, urban Penangites and civil society.

If what Afif claims is really true, he should have no trouble providing us with details of the 4,733 engagements held, including times, dates, venues and those who were invited and/or attended such engagements. 

In addition, we would also request that Afif make public the details of what went on during those 4,733 engagements as this issue is of public interest.

We urge Afif to remember and take to heart Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s advice that statistics should be based on facts and not “plucked from the sky”. 

It would be a disgrace if a senior member of the Penang government, such as Afif, had actually done what Chow had advised other parties not to do.

In the spirit of Penang’s Competency, Accountability and Transparency policy, we strongly urge Afif to respond to this press statement to dispel the following doubts:

1. His competency in providing valid and accurate information;

2. Accountability over the claims of 4,733 engagements in four years; and,

3. The lack of transparency in which the state government operates where the Penang South Reclamation project issue is concerned. – July 16, 2019.

* Khoo Salma writes on behalf of Penang Tolak Tambak.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.